Saturday, March 28, 2009

Weston Foods Customer Service (WFECREPLY FROM weight watchers customer service

Fri, Mar 27, 2009 at 11:20 AMFW: Help: Winning Points [#22958986]

Dear Valued Customer:

We thank you for your e-mail. Please be advised that all fats, shortenings and micro ingredients (such as mono/di-glycerides and dough conditioners) we use in the product mentioned below are of vegetable source.

Should you have further questions concerning any of our products, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The above information is referring to the following email going around in peoples inboxes which was also posted onto this site aswell.. original text of email can be found in this link written supposedly by a "DR M Liaqut"

MCG recently investegated the Yeast Extract, Torula Yeast products from some manufacturer and distributor in USA and findout the current source of Yeast Extract and Torula Yeast. According to yeast manufacturer:

1. Yeast Extract or Autolyzed Yeast Extract from by product of beer making:

The only two categories of food products which use the yeast extract or autolyzed yeast extract are Cheese Crackers and Cheese products because of its harsh and bitter taste. The type of yeast is Brewer Yeast.

2. Yeast Extract or Autolyzed Yeast Extract from Baker's Yeast:

Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast or Baker's Yeast(Halal) is used in manufacture of yeast extract or autolyzed yeast or extract in food products other than cheese crackers or cheeses such as soups, fruits, and other foodsetc. So if you see Yeast Extract or Autolyzed Yeast or extract in food products other than cheese crackers and chees, it means the Yeast Extract or Autolyzed Yeast or Extract is from Baker's yeast and it is Halal.

3. Torula Yeast:

According to manufacturer currently the Torula Yeast is manufactured from sugar source such as Molasses or corn by many manufacturer. They stop manufacturing Torula yeast from alcohol or waste paper.

4.Inactive Yeast:

Yeast cells are pasteurized to inactive them. Mostly from Baker's yeast which is a Halal yeast.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Altoids are a popular brand of breath mints marketed under the slogan "The Original Celebrated Curiously Strong Mints." Though the brand is owned by Wrigley, the confections have been manufactured and produced by Callard & Bowser-Suchard in Wales, the United Kingdom, since the early 1800's.[1]

Altoids mints are much stronger than typical mints; the secret of their strength lies in the use of real peppermint oil in the recipe. Because of this strong mintiness, Altoids are often chosen as a breath freshener as well as an after-coffee mint. Altoids mints are currently available in eight flavors: peppermint, wintergreen, spearmint, cinnamon, ginger, liquorice, chocolate, and crème de menthe.

HOW IS IT MADE?All Altoid mints, including Chocolate-Covered Altoids contain: SUGAR, GUM ARABIC, ARTIFICIAL OR NATURAL FLAVOR (OIL OF PEPPERMINT), and GELATIN.[2] Chocolate-Covered Altoids contain CONFECTIONER'S GLAZE, another name for shellac which is made from crushed and processed insect cocoons.[3]Shellac is used as a glaze on food and medicine to provide a shiny coating.

3. COMBINE flour, salt, pepper and oregano in a mixing bowl or ziploc bag. Coat chicken pieces in the flour, shaking off any excess.

4. HEAT oil and butter together in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken breasts on medium heat for about 2 minutes on the first side, until lightly browned. Turn breasts over to cook other side. Cook breasts about 2 more minutes, until both sides are lightly browned, but not cooked through.

5. REMOVE chicken and set aside.

6. ADD onions and mushrooms to pan, stirring occassionally until onions turn transparent. Add pomegranate syrup and stir. Then place the chicken breasts back in the pan, coating with the onion mushroom sauce.

7. COVER, lower heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add water, in small amounts, as needed to keep from burning.

There is a growing sense of concern today among consumers, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, about the healthfulness of what they eat. Health food stores have gained a prominent status in the US, and many consumers review every last ingredient listed in a food item’s nutritional facts list to ensure that they meet their dietary standards. Muslims must be even more conscientious of what they consume, as a Muslim’s diet must, above all, be lawful (halal) under Islamic law, as well as wholesome (tayyib). The Qur’an states, “O people, eat from whatever is upon the earth that is lawful and wholesome” (2:168).

Of all types of food, one that has become the cause of controversy among Muslims the world over is slaughtered meat. Muslim sources without the guidance of scholars have spread inaccurate information about Islam’s rules and regulations for animal slaughter, leaving Muslims confused about the facts. Authored by a Muslim scholar recognized worldwide for his mastery of Islamic jurisprudence, The Islamic Laws of Animal Slaughter clears up the confusion. The author presents a brief, structured analysis of Islam’s laws for animal slaughter, as well an overview of their practical application in the modern world. A couple of articles, appended specially for this translation, round off the discussion by addressing matters particularly relevant to Muslims in the US and other Western nations.

“An engaging, enlightening, and intellectually thought-provoking work that reassures Muslims that it is still possible to consume Halal and pure sustenance in this extremely complex world.” —Halal Monitoring Committee (HMC), UK

“Mufti Usmani has given a scholarly explanation of the ritual laws of animal slaughter, which every Muslim, particularly those living in the West, must be acquainted with in order to practice their din correctly.” —Mohammad Mazhar Hussaini, Director of Halal Program, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)

“The first English work on this subject that treats modern concerns and is yet thorough, scholarly, authentic, and accessible to a general audience.” —South African National Halaal Authority (SANHA)

“By far the best work on the subject available to the English-speaking reader.” —Dr. Muhammad Munir Chaudry, Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA)

“A must read for any Muslim who wishes to consume the permissible and steer clear of the forbidden, based on the teachings of Allah and His beloved Messenger (upon him be peace).” —Halal Monitoring Authority (HMA), Canadian Council of Muslim Theologians

The diet of a muslim is unquestionably one of the most important matters that Islamic law addresses. The stern, unequivocal command of Allah az o wa jal and His messenger |Sal laho alaihe wa sal'lam| to eat what is lawful (Halal) show why this is so. In one verse of the Qur'an, Allah subhana wa ta'ala says, "O people, eat from whatever is upon the earth that is lawful and wholesome" (Qur'an 2:168).

The messenger of Allah |Sal lal laho alaihe wasl'lam said 'O people! indeed Allah is pure; He does not accept anything but what is pure. And Allah has commanded of the believers what he has commanded of the messengers. He says, "O messengers, eat of what is wholesome and do righteous deeds. Indeed, I am all-knowing of what you do" (Qur'an 23:51). And he says, "O you who belive, eat of the wholesome things that We have provided you" (Qur'an :172). He then related the story of a person who has traveled a long way [for some righteous purpose], and whose clothes have becomme tattered and dirtied. He extends his hands to the heavens, sayin, ' O my Lord! O my Lord!' But what he has eatin is unlawful (haram), and what he has drunk is unlawful, and what he wears is unlawful, and he has been nourished with what is unlawful -- So how can he be answered?" (Sahih Muslim)

By putting in the any food or drink that Allah, the Creator of the Worlds, has deemed unlawful and impure, our bodies become reservoirs for impurity. Just as a Muslim's prayer is unacceptable if he or she is in a state of outward physical impurity, how can our prayers or our supplications or any of our other acts of worship deserve to be accepted if we offer them while impurity runs through the veins of our bodies?

Therefore, from both a practical and, more importantly, from a textual perspective, there is no question that we as Muslims have a solemn religious duty to learn the laws of Islam regarding lawful food and drink and make every effort to adhere to them.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

The general rule on the use of alcohol based perfumes/deodrants, etc is that if the alcohol has been extracted from grapes or dates their use will be forbidden since this is Najis (impure) and will thus make the body and clothes impure.

If the deodrants/perfume is made from synthetic/chemical alcohol, extracted and manufactured from items besides grapes or dates, then the use of such products is permissible.

Hazrat Mufti M. Taqi Usmani Saheb, (A leading contemporary scholar of Pakistan) writes in his commentary of Sahih Muslim, "The majority of alcohol used in medication and perfumes is not manufactured from grapes and dates, it is extracted from grains, peels or petroleum etc." (Takmilah Fathul-Mulhim Vol. 3 Page. 608)

Before using such products, it is advisable from the Shar'ee point of view to check with the manufacturers on the type of alcohol used. (i.e. whether natural or synthetic based).